PIC32MX1 and PIC32MX2, with up to 50 Mhz CPU clockspeed, 3.3 Volts technology ( with some input ports which are “5 Volts tolerant”, but no 5 Volts output ports ), are the most powerful ( Microchip ) CPUs available in DIL package.

The Microchip GestIC devices are shipped with a 32-bit PIC32 and a 8-bit PIC18 CPU. While you can develop and upload firmware for the PIC18 CPU, the PIC32 has its own proprietary firmware for gestic recognition which you can´t access.

You may use PIC32MX with either with “MPLAB Harmony Integrated Software Framework” or “Microchip Library for Applications”, for PIC32MZ, “MPLAB Harmony Integrated Software Framework” is the only officially supported framework available.

PIC32MX is supported by the “Microchip Library for Applications” - a library is shipped with the compiler. PIC32MZ is unsupported.

“Starting with the 2013-12-20 release, the MLA will only include pre-built projects for MPLAB X IDE. Not all demos have been ported to the new version of the MLA. Please see the Legacy MLA tab below if you need: Pre-built projects for MPLAB 8”.

The problems and drawbacks of “Microchip Library for Applications” arise, if you try to combine different code examples. In opposite, with “MPLAB Harmony Integrated Software Framework”, such problems are avoided the design.

“MPLAB XC Free Edition: Supports all the devices and commands of the Standard and PRO Editions. No time or memory restrictions. Limited code optimizations. Unrestricted use—ideal for a low-cost academic or commercial solution. Allows for all the code optimization and commands of the PRO Edition for 60 days – you decide when to turn it on. An option to activate the use of the PRO Edition features and optimizations is included. After 60 days, the compiler will revert back to the levels of the Free Edition”.

The free “C” compiler Microchip Technology Inc. "MPLAB C Compiler for PIC24 MCUs" Lite Edition” for Windows. No C/C++ compiler! “The Compiler Evaluation Version is free! It is full-featured for the first 60 days. After 60 days only optimization level 1 can be enabled in the compiler. The compiler will continue to function after 60 days, but code size may increase. There are no restrictions on the use of this C compiler”.

MPLAB C Compiler for PIC18.

The free “C” compiler Microchip Technology Inc "MPLAB C Compiler for PIC18 MCUs (C18)" for Windows - No C/C++ compiler! “The Standard-Eval Version is free! It has all the features of the full compiler and libraries. After 60 days, the optimizations related to procedural abstraction and to the extended instruction set of the newer PIC18XXXX devices will be disabled. Code compiled after the expiration date will function but may occupy more memory space”.

The free Proteus VSM MPLAB Viewer. The Integrated Solution for PICMicro Development, provided by Microchip Inc for its classical “MPLAB” IDE ( but not yet for the “MPLAB X” IDE , integration is announced / expected for Autumn 2012 . Microchip is going to release a mplabX plugin to intergrate the proteus VSM in MPLAB ). It is based on the free demonstration edition of “Proteus VSM”. “You can write your own software programs to run on the existing sample design suite for evaluation”, using the virtual hardware “Explorer 16 Virtual Evaluation Board”.

Even then, just the calling the IDE and the (automatic) loading a project, causes the generation of files of filetypes *.bmk, *.brk, *.c.ini, *.cfg, *.dct, which must be deleted manually or better by a batch file.

Step 3: Download and install the Microchip auto-install .zip file for each class you are taking,

Step 4: Open, build, and run the “Getting Started” project found at C:\MTT\<classname>. Correctly running this lab verifies the setup of the tools needed for your class. It will also provide the password that may be needed to log in to your class.

“The hands-on exercises will use the Explorer16 board (DM240001) with the 32MX360 PIM ( MA320001 ) OR the PIC32 Starter Kit (DM320001) and ownership for the tools must be confirmed before the class start”.

“This classs requires the additional purchase or previous ownership of the following development tools for use in the hands-on section of the class: PICDDEM FS USB board, PICKit 3 debugger and adapter”.